Ranulph Fiennes, Captain Scott

Ranulph Fiennes, Captain Scott - A gripping read. This book has the authenticity that only personal experience can provide. The style is relaxed but authoritative, conveying the reader into another harsher world where courage and endurance are essential qualities. This was the first time that I have read anything on Antarctic exploration having largely (to my shame) unquestioningly accepted the previously accepted wisdom denigrating Scott as an incompetent. I am now an Antarctic exploration junkie having subsequently read Roland Huntford's "Last Place on Earth" to see what all the fuss was about. The problem of what I want for Christmas has been solved and I confidently (because I've already bought them) expect Santa to bring a pile of Scott/Shackleton books for Christmas. Thank you Ranulph Fiennes.

It is probably pointless to try to compare this book with that of Roland Huntford. It would be like comparing a book on football by a football manager with another by an enthusiast for "fantasy football." It's a different genre.

So buy it but be warned, it may be the start of a small reference library.